WO2003009038A2

WO2003009038A2 - Connecting sleeve for a cable, especially for a submarine cable with an optical waveguide

Info

Publication number: WO2003009038A2
Application number: PCT/EP2002/006416
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Abken; Jan Hayen; Ralf Eilers; Jeffrey Hans Weller
Original assignee: Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2001-07-19
Filing date: 2002-06-12
Publication date: 2003-01-30
Also published as: DE10141129A1; AU2002325831A1; WO2003009038A3

Abstract

In order to connect individual sections of a submarine cable or to repair a damaged point of one such cable, connecting sleeves are used. The connection of submarine cables with optical waveguides, especially cables consisting of a relatively large number of optical wave guides, is problematic. Previously known connecting sleeves are either not at all suitable or ill-suited thereto. The inventive connecting sleeve is primarily suitable for connecting submarine cables with a very large number of optical waveguides. To achieve this, compartments (51) are provided in the housing (21) of the connecting sleeve and at least one part of the optical waveguides are connected therein. Compartments for dividing up the entire train of all of the optical waveguides into individual trains consisting of a low number of optical waveguides or compartments for connecting the waveguides to amplifiers can also be provided. .

Description

Connection sleeve for a cable, in particular a submarine cable having an optical waveguide

description

The invention relates to a connecting sleeve for a cable, in particular a submarine cable having an optical waveguide, according to the preamble of claims 1, 14, 21 and 26.

Long-distance cables, especially submarine cables, are formed from individual cable sections. The cable sections are connected to each other by connecting sleeves. In addition, connecting sleeves are used in the repair of cables by disconnecting the cable at the damaged point, removing the damaged point and then connecting the cable ends again at the repair point by means of the connecting sleeve.

Especially in the case of cables, in particular submarine cables, which have a relatively large number of optical fibers, the connecting sleeve must offer the possibility of individually connecting all optical fibers to one another. In technical jargon, such a connection is referred to as "splicing". In addition, it must be ensured that the cable end is not excessively bent at the transition from the cable to the connecting sleeve. This applies in particular to cables with a large number of kink-sensitive optical fibers. Finally, a reliable strain relief for the cable ends in the area of the transition to the connecting sleeve is required. Strain relief for cables, in particular submarine cables, with optical waveguides is of particular importance because the connecting points of the optical waveguides are sensitive.

Starting from the above, the invention has for its object to provide a connecting sleeve for cables, in particular those with a larger number of optical fibers, which offers the possibility of reliably connecting all optical fibers and a kink protection that meets the requirements and a Strain relief at the transition from the cable ends to the connecting sleeve guaranteed.

A connecting sleeve to solve this problem has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, receiving spaces arranged in the housing for connection points of the ends of the optical waveguides are formed by cassette-like containers. Everyone who cassette-like container is used to hold a certain number of connection points of the optical fibers. With a corresponding number of cassette-like containers, it is possible to connect a cable with a large number of optical waveguides to the connecting sleeve according to the invention. A part of the total number of optical fibers can be clearly connected in the individual cassette-like containers, the connection points being able to be reliably accommodated in the containers. With a connecting sleeve designed in this way, cables with more than 100 optical waveguides can be connected by arranging a corresponding number of cassette-like containers in the housing of the connecting sleeve.

According to a preferred embodiment of the connecting sleeve, cassette-like containers are accommodated in the housing for various purposes, all cassette-like containers preferably being essentially the same, at least externally. It is also conceivable to connect the same cassette-like containers for different purposes, which are designed for this purpose on the inside in such a way that they meet the different purposes.

One type of the cassette-like container is formed by connection cassettes into which the same number of optical waveguides enters and exits, with each individual optical waveguide being connected (spliced) within the respective connection cassette. Such a connection cassette can serve to accommodate the connection points of more than 20 optical fibers.

Another type of cassette-like container is formed by partitioning or summarizing cassettes. These are used to split a bundle with a large number of optical fibers into several bundles with a smaller number of optical fibers (splitting cassettes) or to combine several bundles with a smaller number of optical fibers into a single bundle with a larger number of optical fibers (summarizing cassettes). Both the partitioning and the summarizing cassettes are designed in the same way. Both the partitioning cassettes and the summarizing cassettes are preferably designed in exactly the same way as the connecting cassettes, so that the same cassette-like containers can be used for the purposes mentioned. Another type of cassette-like container is used to form amplifier cassettes. In addition to connecting optical fibers, these also serve to accommodate amplifiers for connecting the optical fibers to the same.

The cassette-like containers for all the above-mentioned purposes can be opened. For this purpose, the containers are preferably formed from a receiving part and a cover that closes the latter. The lid is detachably connected to the respective receiving part, and can be snapped on or screwed on or opened. A sliding connection between the receiving part and the respective cover is also conceivable. In this way, the cassette-like containers can be easily opened and just as easily closed again in order to connect the optical fibers to one another and / or to mount amplifiers.

At least some of the cassette-like containers have a receiving space in the receiving part for excess lengths of the respective, preferably each, optical waveguide. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving part has a bobbin for amplifier fibers or conductors, in particular erbium fibers. Additionally or alternatively, the same containers, in particular amplifier cassettes, have receptacles for other means serving for amplifier purposes, in particular optical isolators.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cassette-like containers are arranged one behind the other in the housing at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the connecting sleeve. The flat, cassette-like containers are preferably arranged in the housing such that their top walls (base surfaces) intersect a longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve, preferably vertically or obliquely. Depending on the number of cassette-like containers to be accommodated in the connecting sleeve, these are at a greater or lesser distance from one another. This creates gaps between the individual cassette-like containers. This makes it possible, in particular in the case of inclined containers, to open and close them in the assembled state, that is to say with the housing of the connecting sleeve open, and to carry out the corresponding assemblies, in particular connections. All cassette-like containers are preferably arranged on at least one support rod or the like running continuously through the housing. This arrangement is expediently such that the containers can be tilted on the support rod, but are otherwise locked, and in particular are non-rotatable and the distance between adjacent cassette-like containers is unchangeable. The inclined position of the individual cassette-like containers can preferably also be locked in the housing. It is ensured by the locking measures mentioned that the cassette-like containers with the connections of the optical waveguides in the housing do not move in an uncontrolled manner, but the cassette-like containers can be brought into an advantageous position for the purpose of unobstructed accessibility for assembly purposes.

A further connecting sleeve for solving the above-mentioned object, but also for developing the connecting sleeve described above, has the features of claim 14. Accordingly, each cable limiting means preferably assigned to the opposite ends of the housing is designed as at least one joint. Such a joint virtually does not hinder the bending of the end regions of the cable entering and exiting the housing and remains permanently supple. However, the maximum bending of the cable ends can be limited exactly with the joint, to a predetermined extent. This reliably prevents excessive bending of the cable at the transition to the housing, which is particularly important for cables with optical fibers.

Each joint designed in the manner of a ball joint is preferably formed from a plurality of individual joints which follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the cable, the individual joints in turn being connected to one another in an articulated manner. In addition, a single joint facing the housing is firmly connected to the housing, as a result of which the housing forms a mechanical unit with the respective joint. The connection of the single joint facing the housing can be both rigid and articulated, as a result of which the single joint facing the housing is movable relative to the housing. The joints can be designed such that they can be moved in all directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, that is to say the cable ends can be moved in any direction with respect to the housing by a limited area. However, the mobility of the joints is preferably limited to one level. The guarantees Forming each joint from a plurality of individual joints causes the cable ends to bend uniformly with respect to the ends of the housing, so that the joints mechanically guide the cable ends on opposite sides of the housing along a substantially arcuate path.

A further connecting sleeve for solving the above-mentioned object, which can also be a preferred development of the connecting sleeves described above, has the features of claim 21. Accordingly, at least one strain relief acts in front of and / or behind the housing of the connecting sleeve on the cable core of the cable, in particular of the submarine cable. In the case of optical fiber cables, this cable core is a cladding tube which surrounds all optical fibers. The action of the strain relief on the cable core reliably prevents relative movement of the cable core along the longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve, in particular the housing.

The respective strain relief is usually outside the housing, additional strain reliefs can also be provided in the housing. It is advantageous here to connect the strain relief to the (free) end of the respective joint directed away from the housing. The strain relief also prevents the cable core from slipping through the joint. If the curved course of the cable core changes in the area of the joint, the joint "pulls" the additional length of cable core required for this from the interior of the housing, where the end of the cable core is freely movable to the extent necessary. In this way, the cable core is not stressed or not significantly stressed when its course changes, in particular its bending radius becomes larger or smaller. As a result, the cable core remains unloaded in the longitudinal direction when it is bent by the joint.

A further connecting sleeve for solving the aforementioned problem, which can also be a further development of the connecting sleeves described above, has the features of claim 26. Accordingly, it is provided to provide at least one displacement limiting means for the respective cable end in the housing. As a result, the cable core can be pulled out of the housing to a limited extent, for example in order to make bends in the region of the respective joint, but on the other hand it prevents the cable core from extending as far can slip out of the housing that the connections of the optical fibers within the cassette-like container can tear.

The displacement limiting means are preferably arranged in storage spaces which are arranged inside an outer housing in front of and behind an inner housing arranged therein. This creates sufficient space for the respective displacement limiting means. In addition, the respective storage space absorbs an excess length of the cable core, which is not required in the case of a straight or almost straight joint between the housing and the strain relief.

Each displacement limiting means is preferably formed by a thickening formed from the cable core itself. As a result, no additional objects are required to form the displacement limiting means, which is both space-saving and weight-saving. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each thickening is formed by winding a short section of the cable core. For example, this can be done by winding the cable core like a coil spring, with several turns. Such a winding or such a displacement limiting means is inherently resilient and thus flexible, and thus allows a limited part of the cable core to be pulled out and pushed in from the housing.

Further subclaims relate to preferred developments of the connecting sleeve, which are explained in more detail in the description.

An exemplary embodiment of the connecting sleeve according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

1 is a central longitudinal section through the connecting sleeve according to the invention,

2 shows a longitudinal section rotated by 90 ° through the area of a housing of the connecting sleeve on an enlarged scale compared to FIG. 1,

3 shows the housing of the connecting sleeve in a section according to FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale, 4 is a perspective view of an opened cassette,

5 shows the opened cassette of FIG. 3 in a plan view with a connected optical waveguide,

6 is a perspective view of an opened strengthening cassette,

7 is a plan view of the opened amplifier cassette with a connected light guide,

8 shows a schematic overview of the arrangement of cassettes for connecting the cable ends of a submarine cable,

9 shows a longitudinal section through a joint,

Fig. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a joint, namely a double joint, in longitudinal section analogous to Fig. 9, and

Fig. 11 is a strain relief in longitudinal section.

The drawing shows an example of a connecting sleeve for connecting adjacent ends of a submarine cable, not shown, to a large number of optical fibers. As an example, the following description assumes that the submarine cable has 144 optical fibers. However, the invention is not limited to connecting sleeves which are suitable for connecting exactly this number of optical waveguides. Rather, a basically identical connecting sleeve can also be used to connect two ends of a submarine cable or possibly another cable that has more than 144 optical waveguides - of course also fewer. All optical fibers of the submarine cable are housed in a common cladding tube. The cladding tube, together with the optical waveguides arranged therein, forms a cable core 20, which is indicated in some figures. The connecting sleeve shown completely in FIG. 1 has a central housing 21 which is cylindrical in the exemplary embodiment shown. A cable bending limiting means designed as a joint 24 is connected to each of the two cylindrical end faces 22, 23 of the housing 21. A strain relief 26 is in turn connected to the end 25 of each joint 24 pointing away from the housing 21. In the exemplary embodiment shown, both the joints 24 and the strain relief 26 on opposite sides of the housing 21 are of identical design. However, it is also conceivable to assign different joints 24 or strain reliefs 26 to opposite ends of the housing 21.

The connecting sleeve is used to connect two adjacent cable ends of a submarine cable. The cable strain relief 26 and the joints 24 lead the cable cores 20 of the cable ends to be connected on opposite sides of the connecting sleeve into the housing 21 and all the optical fibers of the cable core 20 are connected therein. A sheathing of the cable core 20 with reinforcing wires, not shown in the figures, is removed from the cable core 20 from the outer end regions 27 of the strain reliefs 26 and fixed in the end regions 27 of the strain relief 26, so that essentially only the cable core 20 still runs through the connecting sleeve, the cladding tube of the cable core 20 surrounding the optical waveguide is also removed in the region of part of the housing 21, so that the optical waveguides are exposed for connection.

The housing 21 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 on an enlarged scale is composed of an outer housing 28 and an inner housing 29 arranged therein. The outer housing 28 has a cylindrical outer tube 30 with opposite, open end faces. These open end faces of the outer tube 30 are closed by flanges 31, which are detachably connected, namely screwed, to the opposite end regions of the outer tube 30 by retaining rings 32.

The inner housing 29 also has a cylindrical inner tube 30 with opposite, open end faces. A closure piece 34 is assigned to each end face. The respective closure piece 34 is detachably connected to the inner tube 33, for example by screws. Between the closure pieces 34 and the inner tube 33 seals 35 are arranged, which form a first seal of the inner housing 29.

The outer diameter of the inner tube 31 of the inner housing 29 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 30 of the outer housing 28, so that a narrow circumferential gap remains between the outer tube 30 and the inner tube 33. This gap creates space for an outer insulation 36 of the inner tube 33. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this insulation 36 is formed from a sleeve made of plastic, for example low-pressure polyethylene. This insulation 36 can also be attached to the outside of the inner tube 33 in a different manner. The insulation 36 ends at a short distance in front of the end faces of the inner tube 33. The end regions of the inner tube 33 which are free from the sleeve-like insulation 36 are largely filled by end pieces 37 on opposite end regions of the inner housing 29. The end pieces 37 also serve for the purpose of insulation. They are also made of a plastic, preferably low-pressure polyethylene. The respective end piece 37 extends over the entire outer end face of the closure piece 34 and surrounds with an adjoining cylinder section 38 on the outside end areas of the inner housing 29 which are free of the insulation 36 where the sleeve-like insulation 36 and the free end of the cylinder section 38 of the end piece 37 adjoin one another, the end pieces 37 and the insulation 26 are connected to one another by a non-conductive sealing material, for example a winding 39 made of self-vulcanizing tape, or by winding, tempering or welding foils made of low-pressure polyethylene. The winding 39 is accommodated in a flat, V-shaped groove between bevelled end regions of the cylinder sections 38 of the end pieces 37 and the end faces of the sleeve-like insulation 36. The insulation 36 completely surrounds the inner housing 29 on the outside with an insulating material. As a result, the inner housing 29 is insulated from sea-side earth. At the same time, the inner housing 29 is sealed by the insulation, namely protected against the ingress of water.

Each end piece 37 has, on the side facing away from the closure pieces 34, a hose-like extension 40 which is designed to correspond to the outer diameter of the cable core 30 and which closely surrounds the outer side of the cladding tube of the cable core 20. In addition, the transition from the end of expansion to Cable core 20 can be provided with a further roll of, for example, a self-vulcanizing tape made of polyethylene, rubber or winding, tempering or welding of foils made of low-pressure polyethylene, as a result of which the insertion points of the cable core 20 into the inner housing 29 are reliably sealed and also insulated.

Each end piece 37 has an inner clearance 41 following a small, cylindrical through-hole for the cable core 20. Each closure piece 34 also has a central, continuous clearance 42.

A sealing arrangement 43 for the outer jacket of the cable core 20 is accommodated in the franking 41 of the end pieces 37. A strain relief 44 for the cladding tube of the cable core 20 ending in this area is arranged in the franking 42 of each closure piece 34. The respective strain relief 44 thus holds the end of the respective cladding tube of the cable core 20 essentially immovably in the relevant closure piece 34 and thus in the inner housing 29. As a result, the ends of the cladding tube of the respective cable core 20 cannot slip out of the closure piece 34. Any tensile forces emanating from the sheath of the cable core 20 of one cable end are introduced in this way from the closure piece 34 into the inner tube 33 and are transmitted from the latter to the opposite closure piece 34 and through the associated strain relief 44 to the sheath of the cable core 20 of the adjacent cable end.

At least one strain relief 44 is provided with a guide tube 46 pointing into the interior 45 of the inner housing 29 for the free ends or optical waveguides protruding from the cladding tube of the cable core 20. As a result, the free ends of the optical waveguides to be connected are guided and protected against kinking in the interior 45 of the inner housing 29.

A support rod 47 extends in the longitudinal direction through the interior 45 of the inner housing 29, and it can also be a support tube or some other elongated structure. The support rod runs parallel at a small distance next to a longitudinal center axis 48 of the housing 21. Opposite ends of the support rod 47 are preferably detachable with the closure pieces 34 at opposite ends of the inner tube 33 of the inner housing 29 attached. A locking rail 49 extends parallel to the support rod 47 through the interior 45. The locking rail 49 runs parallel to the support rod 47, again next to the longitudinal central axis 48, so that the locking rail 49 is located on a side of the longitudinal central axis 48 opposite the support rod 47 in the inner housing 29 is located. The locking rail 49 is also preferably releasably connected to opposing closure pieces 34.

A plurality of cassette-like containers are arranged in the interior 45 of the inner housing 29. Each of these cassette-like containers serves to connect a part of the optical waveguides in the inner housing 29, with a part of selected optical waveguides optionally also being connectable to amplifiers or other means required for message transmission through the optical waveguides. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cassette-like containers are designed as cassettes 50, 51 and 52. The cassettes 50, 51 and 52 perform different functions. While the cassettes 50 only serve to connect a certain number of optical fibers, this number being significantly less than the total number of optical fibers of the submarine cable, the other cassettes 51 or 52 have different or additional functions. Thus, the cassettes 51 serve as division and summarizing cassettes, with which the bundle of all optical fibers of the submarine cable (144 optical fibers in the exemplary embodiment shown) is divided into several bundles with a smaller number of optical fibers. The bundle of all the optical fibers of the submarine cable thus opens into a distribution cassette, while the distribution cassette leaves several bundles with a smaller number of optical fibers. The cassettes 52 serve as amplifier cassettes. A plurality of optical fibers is at least optically amplified in these by not connecting the ends of the optical fibers directly, but instead connecting these ends to an amplifier or the like.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, cassettes 50, 51 and 52 have essentially the same exterior. A large number of cassettes 50, 51 and 52 are arranged in succession in the interior 45 of the inner housing 29 with a small, uniform spacing. This arrangement is such that the top surfaces of the cassettes 50, 51 and 52 are the longitudinal central axis 48 of the inner housing 29 cut. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the top surfaces of the cassettes 50 51, 52 cut the longitudinal central axis 48 obliquely in one direction, specifically in the present exemplary embodiment at an angle of approximately 45 °. This oblique alignment of the cassettes 50, 51, 52 takes place in such a way that the cassettes run at an angle of 45 ° in a plane spanned by the support rod 47 and the locking rail 49 running parallel thereto, while in a perpendicular direction to the plane mentioned, the cassettes 50, 51, 52 cut this plane vertically. The inclined position of the cassettes 50, 51, 52 in the inner housing 29 enables the cassettes 50, 51 and 52 to be easily accessible. As a result, the cassettes 50, 51, 52 can follow one another at relatively small intervals, so that a relatively large number of cassettes are in the inner housing 29 50, 51, 52 can be accommodated.

8, the function of the arrangement of the individual cassettes 50, 51, 52 in the inner casing 29 is shown schematically and only by way of example. This example refers to the submarine cable shown here with 144 optical fibers. The 144 optical waveguides which are led out of the cladding tube of the cable core 20 in the interior 45 of the inner housing 29 are first guided into the distribution cassette 51. This is divided into six bundles, each with 24 optical fibers. Three of these bundles are led directly to three connection cassettes 50. In each of these three connection cassettes 50, 24 optical fibers are directly connected to one another. The remaining three bands emerging from the connection cassettes 50, each with 24 connected optical waveguides, are then guided into a combination cassette 51. Three remaining bundles, each with 24 optical fibers, are again routed to a distribution cassette 51. For this purpose, three distribution cassettes 51 are used. Eight bundles, each with three optical fibers, are formed in each distribution cassette and, in the present case, the bundle of three optical fibers is surrounded by a tube. Each bundle of three optical fibers is then routed to its own amplifier cassette 52. A total of 24 amplifier cassettes 52 are thus arranged in the inner housing 29. From the amplifier cassettes 52, the 24 bundles, each with three optical fibers surrounded by a tube or the like, are led out of the cassettes 52 after the connection and connection to the amplifier to again three combination cassettes 51. In each cassette 51, the three bundles are combined to form three optical fibers into a bundle of 24 Optical waveguides. The resulting three bundles, each with 24 optical fibers, are then returned to the combination cassette 51 at the end of the inner housing 29, where they are combined with the three bundles of 24 optical fibers from the connection cassettes 50 to form a single bundle of 144 optical fibers, which are located at the opposite end of the inner housing 29 again in the cladding tube of the cable core 20 and together with the cladding tube from the inner housing 29, the outer housing 28, the joint 24 and the strain relief 26 are led out of the connecting sleeve.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary arrangement of the cassettes 50, 51 and 52 described above; rather, any other arrangement is conceivable, in particular if cable ends of submarine cables are to be connected to more or less than 144 optical fibers.

4-7 show the cassettes 50, 51 and 52. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connection cassettes 50 and the division cassettes 51 are also of identical design on the inside. 4 and 5 thus show cassettes 50 and 51 in the same way. The structure will be explained below using the example of a connection cassette 50:

The cassette 50 has a receiving part 53 and a flat cover 54. A receiving space 55 for the optical waveguides to be connected is formed in the receiving part 53. The cover 54 is detachably connected to the receiving part 53, in the embodiment shown by screws. As a result, the cassette 50 can be opened to connect the optical fibers and closed after the connections have been made. The cassette 50, which has an approximately circular base area, has a recess 56 on one side. In the middle of the recess 56 there is a fork 57 made of two parallel, radially directed legs, each with a transverse through bore 58. In addition, the cassette 50 has a central through-hole 59 which extends through both the receiving part 53 and the cover 54 and extends at an angle of approximately 45 ° to the plane of the cover 54 and the receiving part 53, which is on an imaginary plane lies, which extends between the parallel legs of the fork 57 and extends perpendicular to the through hole 58 in the forks. Alternatively it is conceivable to design this through hole 59 as an elongated hole extending perpendicularly through the cassette 50. With the through hole 59, the cassette 50, like the other cassettes, is lined up on the support rod 57. Due to the oblique direction of the through hole 59 to the level of the cassette 50, this automatically receives an oblique position to the longitudinal central axis 48 of the inner housing 29 on the support rod 47. If an oblong hole is provided at the location of the oblique through hole 59, the cassette 50 can be on the support rod 47 in one Be pivoted towards. With the fork 57, the cassette 50 can be locked in the oblique position on the support rod 47 by inserting a locking pin through the through hole 58 in the fork 57, which extends through a corresponding bore 60 in the locking rail 49. This locking can be released by removing the pin if, for example, the cassette 50 is to be brought into a different position relative to the longitudinal central axis 48 of the inner housing 29 for assembly purposes.

The receiving part 53 of the cassette 50 has two openings 61 on opposite, vertical sides of the recess 56. One of the openings 61 serves to insert the ends of the optical waveguides into the cassette, while the other opening 61 serves to lead the interconnected light conductors out. In the central area of the receiving part 53 there is an oval winding core 62 which fills the interior of the receiving space 55 and against which the cover 54 rests when the cassette 50 is closed. A continuous, narrow winding track 63 extends around the winding core 62. A storage compartment 64 branches off from the winding track 63 above the winding core 62. In the storage compartment 64 there are a plurality of storage compartments 65 lying next to one another. In the exemplary embodiment shown there are twelve storage compartments 65 of approximately the same size.

5 shows an opened cassette 50 without the cover 54 with only one optical waveguide 66 arranged therein for illustration purposes only. In the exemplary embodiment shown there are actually up to 24 optical waveguides 66 in the cassette 50. One end of the optical waveguide 66 is through the opening 61 inserted into the cassette 50. The adjacent end of an optical waveguide 66 of the other submarine cable section is spliced onto this end. The splice 67 of the optical waveguide 66 is then stored in a storage chamber 65. The one with one end of the optical fiber 66 connected other optical waveguide is wound with an excess length around the winding core 62 along the winding path 63. In the example in FIG. 5, the optical waveguide 66 is wound around the winding core 62 only once. The optical waveguide 66 can also be wound several times around the winding core 62 if the excess length is correspondingly large. Then the optical waveguide 66 is led out of the cassette 50 through the opposite (right in FIG. 5) opening 61.

In the same manner as described above as the cassette 50, the cassette 51 serving for divisional and summarizing purposes is also formed. However, there is no connection of the optical fibers in this. Instead, they are only reoriented in the cassette 50 by forming six bundles of 24 optical fibers each from a large bundle of 144 optical fibers, for example, or eight bundles of 3 optical fibers each from a bundle of 24 optical fibers. Since the cassette 51 corresponds to the cassette 50, the above description of the cassette 50 is referred to in structure.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cassette 52 serves to reinforce certain optical waveguides. The cassette 52 corresponds externally to the cassettes 50 and 51, so that the same reference numbers are used for the same parts. The receiving part 53 of the cassette 52 is designed in a special way. The winding core 68 is hollow. For this purpose, an oval collar 70 is provided on the bottom 69 of the receiving part 53, which in the exemplary embodiment shown has an opening 71 on the lower flat side, which opening is formed in that the collar 70 is not closed all round. A cover 72 with a winding spool can be placed on the collar, as a result of which a cavity 73 is created in the interior of the winding core 68. The cavity 73 is accessible through the opening 71 from the winding path 63 surrounding the winding core 68. Also in the case of the cassette 52, a storage compartment 74 branches off from the winding path 63 above the winding core 68. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this storage compartment 74 is provided with three storage compartments 75. The same-sized storage chambers 75 are arranged one above the other.

7, the function of the cassette 52 is again explained on the basis of only one optical waveguide 76 shown as an example. Accordingly, an opening 68 is used End of the optical fiber 76 inserted into the cassette 52. This end of the optical waveguide 76 is guided to the storage compartment 74 and is connected there to an optical isolator 77 arranged in a storage chamber 75. The opposite end of the optical isolator 77 is connected to the end of an optical fiber 76 of another cable section. In this way, the optical isolator 77 also serves to connect the adjacent ends of an optical waveguide 76 of the submarine cable. An excess length of the optical waveguide 76 is then guided into the cavity 73 of the winding core 68. Here, the optical waveguide 76 is connected to an erbium fiber 78 which serves as an amplifier and is wound onto the winding spool arranged under the cover 72. Erbium fiber 78 has a predetermined length. The end of the erbium fiber 78 is in turn connected to the subsequent optical waveguide 76, which is led out of the opening 71 and then out of the winding core 78 and after winding an excess length in the winding path 63 around the winding core 68 through the opposite opening 61 from the cassette 52 is brought out.

In the outer housing 28 of the connecting sleeve 29 storage spaces 79 are provided in front of and behind the inner housing. Each storage space 79 assigned to an opposite end region of the inner housing 29 serves to receive a displacement limiting means of the cable core 20 in the connecting sleeve. The respective displacement limiting means in front of and behind the inner housing 29 is formed by a thickening of the cable core 20 itself, which is brought about by the fact that part of the cable core 20 is wound up in the manner of a coil spring. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a winding 80 having three windings of the same diameter and lying one above the other from the cable core 20 is provided to form a displacement limiting means in each case. The winding 80 from the cladding tube of the cable core 20 acts in a resilient manner, so that the winding 80 located in the respective storage space 79 serves as a length compensation for any displacements of the cable core 20 inside the connecting sleeve, but also to limit the maximum displacement path of the cable core 20 in the connecting sleeve, in particular in the respective storage space 29, serves.

The joint 24 on each of the opposite end faces of the outer housing 28 is composed in the exemplary embodiment shown of two basically identical individual joints 81. However, it is also conceivable to have a joint 24 made from only one to form single or more than two individual joints 81. Each individual joint 81 has a joint sleeve 82 and two joint connectors 83, 84. A joint connector 84 between two successive individual joints 81 is partially assigned to each of the individual joints 81. The joint sleeve 82 is formed in several parts. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it has three parts which follow one another in the axial direction, namely two outer parts 85 and a central part 86. The two identical outer parts 85 and the central part 86 of the respective joint sleeve 82 are connected to one another after the respective joint connector 83, 84 has been inserted. The outer parts 85 and the middle part 86 form in each joint sleeve 82 two inner spherical caps 87, which follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the joint 24 at a distance, for the form-fitting reception of one joint connector 83, 84 in each case. For this purpose, each joint connector 83, 84 has at least one outer spherical cap 88 , which is formed corresponding to the spherical cap 87 in the interior of the joint sleeve 82.

The outer end faces of each joint connector 83 associated with joint 24 have a single spherical cap 88, to which a cylinder section 89 is connected in one piece, which projects in some areas from the outer end face of the respective joint sleeve 82. The joint connector 84 between two successive individual joints 81 has two spherical caps 88 on opposite end faces. Each spherical cap 88 is held in a form-fitting manner in another joint sleeve 82, so that the spherical caps 88 of the central joint connector 84 connect the joint sleeves 82 of the individual joints 81 to one another. The cylinder section 89 on the front side of the joint 21 facing the housing 21 is connected, preferably screwed, to the flange 31 on the relevant front side of the outer housing 28. In contrast, the cylinder section 89 of the articulated connector 83 pointing away from the housing 21 is firmly connected to the strain relief 26, preferably screwed.

The articulated connectors 83 and 84 have a central through bore 90 in the interior, which is designed to correspond to the passage of a cable core 20. Each through hole 90 in an articulated connector 83 and 84 is provided with a partially arcuate widening toward its opposite ends. As a result, the cable core 20 is given a continuously curved course with the joint 24 deflected to the maximum laterally (FIG. 9). The spherical caps 88 of each joint connector 83 and 84 have at least two opposing, longitudinal grooves 91, which extend only over a portion of the respective spherical cap 88. A pin 92 of the respective joint sleeve 82 engages in the respective groove. Each pin 92 projects relative to the spherical cap 87 in the respective joint sleeve 82 to such an extent that it engages almost completely in the groove 91 in the joint connector 83 or 84. The pins 92 engaging in the grooves 91 serve to prevent the joint sleeves 82 from rotating relative to the joint connectors 83, 84 and the joint connectors 83, 84 and the joint sleeve 82 with respect to one another. The arrangement of the pins 92 in the center of the spherical caps 87 in the joint sleeves 82 ensures unrestricted, articulated mobility of the joint connectors 83, 84 and the joint sleeves 82. The pins 92 engaging in the grooves 91 therefore do not restrict the mobility of the joint 42.

The lengths of the grooves 91 are dimensioned such that the pins 92 do not come into contact with any end of the respective groove 91 when the joint connectors 83, 84 in the joint sleeves 82 are deflected to the maximum, as is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The maximum deflection of the articulated connectors 83, 84 relative to the articulated sleeves 82 is limited by adjacent end faces of the articulated sleeves 82 or the end face of an articulated sleeve 82 on a connection part on the cylinder section 89 of each articulated connector 83 (FIGS. 9 and 10).

10 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment to the joint 24, namely a double joint 93. The double joint 93 serves to guide two cable cores 20 on one or both sides of the housing 21, by means of a first joint 94 and a second joint 95 Double joint 93 each have a cable core 20, and if necessary also different cable cores, can be introduced into the housing 21 or can be guided out of the housing 21. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first (longer) joint 94 is designed like the joint 24 of FIG. 9. Accordingly, the same parts are provided with the same reference numbers. The second joint 95 is shorter. It has only a single individual joint consisting of a joint sleeve 96 and two joint connectors 97, which are designed like the joint connectors 83 of the first joint 94. Otherwise, the joint sleeve 96 is designed like the joint sleeve 82. The strain relief 26 is shown in detail in FIG. 11. The strain relief 26 has a cylindrical housing tube 98 pointing towards the joint 24. At the end pointing away from the joint 24, the housing tube 98 is provided with a housing sleeve 99. The end of the housing sleeve 99 is in turn provided with a tapered end piece 100. Between the housing tube 98 and the housing sleeve 99, a spacer 101 made of non-conductive material, for example glass fiber reinforced plastic, is arranged.

A strain relief insert 102 is arranged in the interior of the housing tube 98. This is completely surrounded by a two-part insulation made of two insulating caps 103. The insulating caps 103 abut on the cylindrical outer surface of the strain relief insert 102. The resulting seam 104 is provided with a winding 105 of insulating material bridging it. Each insulating cap 103 has a cylinder shoulder 106 which points away from the respective strain relief insert 102 and in each case surrounds an area of the cable core 20 emerging from the strain relief insert 102. Windings 107 are again arranged between the ends of the cylinder lugs 106 and the outer circumference of the cable core 20. In this way, the entire interior of the strain relief insert 102 is electrically insulated from sea earth and sealed off in a watertight manner.

The strain relief insert 102 has a tapered sleeve 108 which is provided with a largely tapered through-bore 109 which widens towards the joint 24 or towards the housing 21. A short cylindrical area adjoins the conical area of the through hole 109 towards the joint 24, in that a conical insert 110 is arranged which has a conical through hole 111 which tapers in diameter towards the joint 24. The through hole 111 in the cone insert 110 has a greater increase than the through hole 109 in the cone sleeve 108.

A double cone 112 extending through the conical region of the through bore 109 and the conical through bore 111 in the cone insert 110 is arranged in the cone sleeve 108. The double cone 112 is provided on opposite end faces with outer conical surfaces which correspond to the conical through-hole 111 in the cone insert 110 and the conical section of the through-hole 109 in the cone sleeve 108. Depending on the direction of pull of the cable core 20, the Double cone 112 is drawn into the tapered through-hole 11 of the cone insert 110 or the cone section of the through-hole 109 in the cone sleeve 108 and thereby prevents the cable core 20 from slipping through the strain relief insert 102. For this purpose, the double-cone 112 is provided with a cylindrical through-hole 113, which corresponds to The outer circumference of the cable core 20 is formed so that the cable core 20 runs through the double cone 112 of the strain relief insert 102.

A further cone sleeve 114 is arranged in the housing sleeve 99, which with its outer cone side increases in diameter towards the joint 24 and is supported on a corresponding inner cone surface of a cone ring 115, which is guided in the housing sleeve 99. This creates a strain relief for reinforcement wires of the submarine cable which run around the cable core 20 and which end in front of the strain relief insert 102. The end piece 102 of the strain relief 26 has an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the submarine cable with the outer sheathing, so that the outer sheathing of the submarine cable extends up to the conical sleeve 114 in the housing sleeve 99.

A further special feature of the invention consists in that the part of the cable core 20 which is exposed in the area of the connecting sleeve is covered with an insulating sleeve subsequently pushed onto the cladding tube from an envelope tube corresponding to the outer circumference of the cable core 20 and not shown in the drawings is. This envelope tube is formed from a non-conductive, insulating material, for example low-pressure polyethylene. The sleeve also extends in the area of the strain relief 26, so that the outer circumference of the sleeve of the cable core 20 becomes non-slip and the cable cone 20 is effectively prevented from slipping through by the double cone 112 of the strain relief insert 102. Should there nevertheless be a small amount of slippage between the cable core 20 and the double cone 112, the cladding tube usually formed from copper, but also from aluminum, stainless steel or another metallic material, is not impaired. Likewise, the protective tube of the cable core 20 also extends through the joints 24 into the area of the end faces of the inner housing 29, as a result of which the cladding tube in the area of the connecting sleeve is completely insulated and sealed against sea earth. Those parts of the connecting sleeve which are not formed from an insulating material (for example plastic or rubber) consist of a seawater-resistant metallic material, in particular an aluminum-bronze alloy.

Although the connecting sleeve described above is particularly suitable for connecting successive sections of a submarine cable or for repairing defective areas of the submarine cable, the connecting sleeve can also be used for connecting mutually facing ends of other cables, specifically those which have optical waveguides in the cable core 20 ,

The above embodiment relates to a submarine cable with 144 optical fibers. The connecting sleeve can, however, also be used to connect ends of submarine cables or other cables facing each other which have a smaller or larger number of optical waveguides in the cable core.

10.06.2002 / 7519

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

20 cable core 58 through hole

21 Housing 59 through hole

22 face 60 bore

23 face 61 opening

24 joint 62 winding core

25 end 63 winding track

26 strain relief 64 storage compartment

27 end area 65 storage chamber

28 outer housing 66 fiber optic cable

29 Inner housing 67 splice

30 outer tube 68 winding core

31 flange 69 bottom

32 retaining ring 70 collar

33 inner tube 71 opening

34 closure piece 72 cover

35 Seal 73 cavity

36 Insulation 74 storage compartment

37 end piece 75 storage chamber

38 cylinder section 76 optical waveguide

39 coils 77 optical isolator

40 extension 78 erbium fiber

41 franking 79 storage space

42 franking 80 wraps

43 Sealing arrangement 81 single joint

44 strain relief 82 joint sleeve

45 Interior 83 joint connector

46 guide tube 84 joint connector

47 Support bar 85 outer part

48 central longitudinal axis 86 central part

49 Locking rail 87 spherical cap

50 cassette 88 spherical cap Cassette 89 cylinder section

Cassette 90 through hole

Receiving part 91 groove

Lid 92 pin

Recording room 93 double joint

Recess 94 first joint

Fork 95 second joint

joint sleeve

Adjustable connector

housing tube

housing sleeve

tail

spacer

Admitted fishing operation

insulating

join

reel

cylindrical projection

reel

cone sleeve

Through Hole

disc insert

Through Hole

double cone

Through Hole

cone sleeve

cone ring

Claims

claims

1.Connection sleeve for a cable, in particular a submarine cable having a plurality of optical fibers, with a housing for receiving adjacent cable ends of the cable and at least one receiving space arranged in the housing for connection points of ends of the optical fibers, characterized in that the receiving spaces are provided by cassette-like containers for a particular one Number of optical fibers are formed.

2. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that in the housing (21) at least such a number of cassette-like containers is arranged that the connection points of all optical fibers can be accommodated in a plurality of cassette-like containers in the housing (21).

3. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that externally substantially the same cassette-like containers are provided for different purposes.

4. A connecting sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that cassette-like containers designed as connecting cassettes (50) are provided, into which a bundle with the same number of optical fibers, which is smaller than the total number of optical fibers of the cable, enters and from which a bundle with same number of optical fibers emerges, each optical fiber of the bundle being connectable in the connection cassette (50).

5. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that as a dividing or summarizing cassettes (51) designed till-type containers are provided, into which at least one bundle with optical fibers opens and several smaller bundles emerge with a small number of optical fibers and vice versa.

6. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that cassette-like containers designed as amplifier cassettes (52) are provided, in which at least amplifiers for at least some of the optical waveguides are arranged.

7. Connecting sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that the cassette-like containers are designed to be opened, in particular have a receiving part (53) and a cover (54) closing the receiving part (53).

8. Connection sleeve according to claim 7, characterized in that at least some cassette-like containers in the receiving part (53) have a receiving space (55), in particular at least one winding core (62, 68) for excess lengths and / or reinforcing fibers of the optical fibers.

9. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some cassette-like containers fixing elements, in particular storage chambers (65, 75) for

Have connection points and / or insulators or amplifiers of the optical fibers.

10. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some cassette-like containers have at least one amplifier (optical isolators 77; erbium fiber 78) for the optical waveguide assigned to this cassette-like container.

11. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that the cassette-like containers are arranged one behind the other in the housing (21), preferably on at least one common support rod (47).

12. Connection sleeve according to claim 11, characterized in that the cassette-like containers on the respective support rod (47) are pivotable, but are otherwise immovable and non-rotatable.

13. Connection sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (21) has an outer housing (28) and an inner housing (29), wherein the cassette-like containers are arranged in the inner housing (29).

14. Connection sleeve for a cable, in particular a submarine cable having at least one optical waveguide, with a housing for receiving adjacent cable ends of the cable and at least one cable bending limiting means assigned to the housing, characterized in that at least one cable bending limiting means is designed as a joint (24) ,

15. Connecting sleeve according to claim 14, characterized in that the respective joint (24) is designed in the manner of a ball joint, preferably is formed from a plurality of individual joints (81) which follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the cable, the individual joints (81) in turn preferably being articulated to one another are.

16. Connecting sleeve according to claim 14, characterized in that the respective joint (24) is formed from individual joints (81) which have a joint sleeve (82, 96) and opposite ends of the joint connectors (84, 97) associated therewith.

17. Connecting sleeve according to claim 16, characterized in that each joint sleeve (82, 96) has at least one spherical cap-like inner contour which corresponds to a spherical cap-like outer contour of the respective joint connector (83, 97).

18. Connection sleeve according to claim 16, characterized in that the individual joints (81) are connected by at least one joint connector (84).

19. Connection sleeve according to claim 16, characterized in that the articulated connectors (83, 84, 97) have through holes for at least part of the cable.

20. Connection sleeve according to claim 14, characterized in that the joint (24) at at least one end with an outer housing (28) of the housing (21) is connected and is preferably provided with a strain relief means at the opposite end.

21. Connection sleeve for a cable, in particular a submarine cable having at least one optical waveguide, with a housing for accommodating adjacent ones

Cable ends of the cable and at least one strain relief, characterized in that the strain relief (26) acts on a cable core (20).

22. Connecting sleeve according to claim 21, characterized in that the strain relief (26) on the outside of a cladding tube surrounding the optical waveguide of the cable core

(20) attacks.

23. Connecting sleeve according to claim 21, characterized in that the strain relief (26) is completely insulated and / or sealed from the outside.

24. A connecting sleeve according to claim 21, characterized in that the strain relief (26) has at least one clamping cone which is arranged on the outside of the cladding tube of the cable core (20) and which cooperates at least with a conical sleeve (108), the conical sleeve (108) preferably having one Has inner cone which interacts with the clamping cone.

25. Connection sleeve according to claim 21, characterized in that the strain relief (26) is connected to a cable bending limiting means, in particular a joint (24), preferably an end of the cable bending limiting means pointing away from the housing (21).

26. Connection sleeve for a cable, in particular a submarine cable having at least one optical waveguide, with a waterproof housing for receiving adjacent cable ends of the cable, characterized in that at least one displacement limiting means is arranged in the housing (21) for each cable end.

27. Connection sleeve according to claim 26, characterized in that the housing (21) has an outer housing (28) and an inner housing (29), the outer housing (28) in front of and behind the inner housing (29) a storage space (79) for each one of the displacement limiting means.

28. Connection sleeve according to claim 27, characterized in that each displacement limiting means for limiting the displacement path of the cable core (20) is formed in particular in the inner housing (29).

29. A connecting sleeve according to claim 27, characterized in that each displacement limiting means is formed by a thickening of the cable core (20) in the region of the relevant storage space (79) between the outer housing (28) and the inner housing (29), the thickenings being formed by a helical spring-like Winding the cable core (20) are formed.